Washington advises Athens, Ankara to pursue diplomatic route over Aegean friction
![Washington advises Athens, Ankara to pursue diplomatic route over Aegean friction](https://www.ekathimerini.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/state_dept_web.jpg)
The US State Department has called on Greece and Turkey to use their regular diplomatic channels to resolve any disputes in the Aegean following an incident on Monday night, when a Turkish coast guard vessel rammed a Greek patrol boat off the Imia islets.
When questioned about the incident on Tuesday, a State Department spokesperson said: "Turkey and Greece have long-established diplomatic channels for addressing Aegean issues.
"We encourage all parties to take steps that will deescalate the current situation. As a matter of principle, the US supports the sovereignty of countries in region, including Greece and Turkey."
Earlier, the Greek Foreign Ministry lodged a demarche over the incident off Imia, which occurred just a few days after Turkish warships stopped a drillship belonging to Italian energy giant ENI from exploring for gas in Block 3 of Cyprus’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).